Published: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 3:52 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 10:52 p.m.

ORMOND BEACH — State officials agreed to remove bike markings from Granada Boulevard a day after a News-Journal report told of concerns from citizens and Ormond Beach officials alike that bicyclists could be endangered.

But the markings may come back at some point, a state spokesman said.

City Manager Joyce Shanahan said the state Department of Transportation decided late last week to remove the markings, also known as "sharrows," which were supposed to direct motorists to share the road with bicyclists.

Instead, they often left people confused, Shanahan said.

"I don't think the general public knew what those arrows were meant to say," she said. "They weren't there before so I think it was confusing for everybody."

The markings were added to the outside lanes of Granada Boulevard, or State Road 40, after crews narrowed the road and added medians as part of a beautification project in the city's downtown district. As of early Thursday afternoon, the road markings were still there.

FDOT spokesman Steve Olson said last week the state thought it was "prudent" to put the markings on the road in case cyclists continued to take that route.

But after receiving input from residents and the city, state officials decided to reconsider its stance.

"We're open to change," Olson said.

The sharrows may return, however, once the public has a chance to be educated about the symbols, Olson said. He added the markings would be placed in the inside lanes should they be reapplied.

"But not until we get everybody comfortable with it," he said.

In meantime, the city will place signage in the area directing bicyclists to alternative routes on Tomoka and Lincoln avenues, Shanahan said.

City Commissioner James Stowers, who represents the northern sections of the city, said the state had known all along of the city's plans to divert bicyclists to other roads.

"I don't know where that came from," he said of the sharrows.

City Commissioner Troy Kent, who represents the city's downtown area, credited the newspaper story for prompting the state's reversal a day later.

"I think that helped," he said. "This is definitely a step in the right direction."

<p>ORMOND BEACH &mdash; State officials agreed to remove bike markings from Granada Boulevard a day after a News-Journal report told of concerns from citizens and Ormond Beach officials alike that bicyclists could be endangered. </p><p>But the markings may come back at some point, a state spokesman said. </p><p>City Manager Joyce Shanahan said the state Department of Transportation decided late last week to remove the markings, also known as "sharrows," which were supposed to direct motorists to share the road with bicyclists. </p><p>Instead, they often left people confused, Shanahan said. </p><p>"I don't think the general public knew what those arrows were meant to say," she said. "They weren't there before so I think it was confusing for everybody." </p><p>The markings were added to the outside lanes of Granada Boulevard, or State Road 40, after crews narrowed the road and added medians as part of a beautification project in the city's downtown district. As of early Thursday afternoon, the road markings were still there. </p><p>FDOT spokesman Steve Olson said last week the state thought it was "prudent" to put the markings on the road in case cyclists continued to take that route. </p><p>But after receiving input from residents and the city, state officials decided to reconsider its stance. </p><p>"We're open to change," Olson said. </p><p>The sharrows may return, however, once the public has a chance to be educated about the symbols, Olson said. He added the markings would be placed in the inside lanes should they be reapplied. </p><p>"But not until we get everybody comfortable with it," he said. </p><p>In meantime, the city will place signage in the area directing bicyclists to alternative routes on Tomoka and Lincoln avenues, Shanahan said. </p><p>City Commissioner James Stowers, who represents the northern sections of the city, said the state had known all along of the city's plans to divert bicyclists to other roads. </p><p>"I don't know where that came from," he said of the sharrows. </p><p>City Commissioner Troy Kent, who represents the city's downtown area, credited the newspaper story for prompting the state's reversal a day later. </p><p>"I think that helped," he said. "This is definitely a step in the right direction."</p>